History Happens Here - The Missouri History Museum's Blog

17, May 2012

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Behind the Scenes: Underneath It All

Underneath It All, an exhibition about the evolution of women's undergarments, opens in June at the Missouri History Museum. Senior curator Shannon Meyer gives us a sneak peek at some of the items that may be included in the exhibition. For more Behind the Scenes videos, view our archives. For more and other MHM videos, bookmark or subscribe to the Museum's YouTube page. Read more »

17, May 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: May 17, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

In this letter, James addresses personal matters, primarily responding to information Molly provided in her letters. He thanks Molly for the “Morgan St. news.” In the early 1860s, James’s aunt and uncle, James and Mary Jane Adams, and their four children, John, Mary E., Ellen, and Eliza Ann, lived in a house on Morgan Street. Eliza Ann was married to Molly’s brother, William C. Wilson, who lived in the same house along with their baby, James, and three servants. Molly lived a few blocks away with her mother, Eliza, her brothers, John and Alexander, her sister, Sallie, and her aunt. Read more »

16, May 2012

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The “Butcher of Bosnia” Goes on Trial

Many Bosnian St. Louisans have awaited this day, the beginning of Serbian military leader Ratko Mladic’s trial for war crimes. Mladic is accused of orchestrating the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica, in which 8,000 men and boys were slaughtered, among other crimes.

St. Louis opened its doors to Bosnian refugees in the 1990s and is now home to more than 70,000 Bosnians, the largest population outside of Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 2000 the Missouri History Museum published a book by Patrick McCarthy, After the Fall, focusing on a displaced family and their experiences. Read more »

4, May 2012

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Experiencing Blindness at Dialog in the Dark

When I was little, I made it a habit to close my eyes and find my way through the dark whenever I had to get up in the middle of night. It was an exercise that I often did to make sure that I could navigate our house without my sight, in case there was ever a fire. I realize that this is a strange habit,

Photo at left courtesy of Premier Exhibitions. Read more »

4, May 2012

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Curator Reflects as She Puts Her "Baby" to Bed

In my 20-plus years of working at the Missouri History Museum I have had the opportunity to work on many exhibits. While I have enjoyed the experiences each one brought, none gave me more pleasure than seeing the Lindbergh exhibit open in 2002. This exhibit celebrated the 75th anniversary of the famous aviator’s transatlantic flight from New York to Paris. I had been working on the exhibit for the better part of two years and felt like it was my baby. It was the first exhibit for which I had done the historical and artifact research, and it was a big step for me as a curator to see it come together. Read more »

4, May 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: May 4–7, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

James remained in Kansas on border patrol, primarily dealing with guerrillas—groups of independent men not affiliated with a regiment—who stole horses, food, and other supplies. As quartermaster, it was James’s responsibility to return items stolen, or left behind, to the owner or sell them for the army. On a personal note, James encourages Molly to visit her brother, R.B.M. Read more »

2, May 2012

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Pruitt-Igoe Documentary Wins Awards

The Pruitt-Igoe Myth: An Urban History, which was produced in association with the Missouri History Museum, has been winning awards from national history organizations. It won the Erik Barnouw Award from the Organization of American Historians, the John E. O'Connor Film Award from the American Historical Association, and an ABC News VideoSource Award for its use of archival news footage. The History Museum provided much of the footage that is used in the film. Read more »

1, May 2012

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A Flag for the Militia

The ingredients for Civil War had been simmering for 15 years: debates about slavery, stolen slaves, recaptured slaves, violence along the border with Kansas, abolitionists moving in next door, and general distrust. Paranoia was rampant. People were afraid of being attacked by neighbors, or by gangs of strangers favoring one side or another. The new governor, Claiborne Jackson, took office in early 1861, and then he and his government were summarily thrown out by the Federal government and replaced with Federal appointees. The exiled Jackson rallied the state militia around him, and when they camped on the western edge of St. Louis, tensions rose even higher. Read more »

1, May 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: May 1–2, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

11 P.M.

Dearest Molly

Oh that I could take unto myself wings like a dove & fly to you for I am a weary, aweary positively for a sight of your pleasant face - aweary of hard work - under the depressing influence of this lazy camp life - When shall I see you? When shall we meet to part no more? (in life) Questions often asked in though ever recurring, but echo only answers when? Read more »

1, May 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: May 1, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

Aubrey
May 1st 1862
Morning

My Dear Gal

I am and have been thundering busy & I aint agoing to bore you with a long letter this time that I know of at present.

The 1st of the month always brings its toil in the shape of an immense amount of calligraphy & calculating. So it has been for a week of preparation but that it is over now, and yesterday it also brought muster day in due course, & in time again the paymaster comes around. Read more »